The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is operating a self-reporting period for pet registration from September to October to prevent the loss and abandonment of pets and to promote a mature pet culture. During this self-reporting period, fines for unregistered pets or failure to report changes will be waived, but starting in November, local governments will conduct intensive inspections.
On September 13, the ministry announced that the '2026 Second Self-Reporting Period for Animal Registration' will run from October 1 to October 31.
Under current animal protection laws, dogs over two months old kept for companionship must be registered with the local city, county, or district office. Failure to register can result in fines of up to 1 million won. If there are changes in ownership, address, or phone number, or if a registered animal is lost or dies without reporting these changes, fines of up to 500,000 won may also apply.
The ministry is providing two self-reporting periods this year, in the first and second halves, to allow pet owners who have not registered or reported changes to enter the system without the burden of fines. The first self-reporting period was held from May to June.
Pet registration can be done at local city, county, or district offices or through animal hospitals that serve as registration agents. Registration agencies can be verified through the National Animal Protection Information System.
Pet owners can choose between two registration methods: an internal microchip or an external collar. The ministry recommends the internal microchip method as it is relatively safer than the external collar, which can be lost or damaged.
If there are changes in ownership or personal information, or if a registered animal dies, the owner must report these changes at the local city, county, or district office or through the National Animal Protection Information System.
After the self-reporting period ends, intensive inspections will be conducted throughout November. Local governments will check compliance with animal registration and change reporting, focusing on areas where pets frequently visit, such as parks and apartment complexes. Compliance with animal protection laws, including leash and identification tag requirements, will also be enforced.
Lee Yeon-sook, head of the Animal Welfare Policy Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "Animal registration is the quickest way to return a lost pet to its family and is the first step in preventing loss and abandonment. I urge pet owners who have not yet registered or reported changes to complete their registration during this self-reporting period without the burden of fines."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.